daily devotion Jan 27

[billizzy]

Forgiving others

We cannot afford to be unforgiving. Holding a grudge is self-destructive. Pent-up anger destroys the peace of mind, poisons the disposition, and undermines health. To avoid reaping the results of an unforgiving spirit, the transgression must be forgiven and put out of mind.

Saying, "I will forgive, but I won't forget" is a subterfuge. That is not forgiveness at all. Of course, the cause of the hard feelings cannot be entirely forgotten, but it can be remembered without malice. The one who caused the break in fellowship must again be received as a friend and treated like one. Only then can you have peace of mind.

If we are not willing to forgive others, we have no right to expect God to forgive us. That does not mean the loss of salvation. It does mean the loss of fellowship with God. That is a price we should not be willing to pay. It is bad enough to lose fellowship with a friend; to lose fellowship with God is intolerable.

Hugs prayers and God bless
Izzy

[Becca]

Izzy We need only to read the scriptures to know how important forgiveness truly is.If we want forgiveness from our Heavenly Father we must be willing to forgive others.
I've seen people carrying grudges & they make themselves sick.
May we all have a forgiving spirit in our Hearts.Thanks Izzy for our daily devotional.Becca

[Marilynsgrammy]

I don't think you have to bring a person back into your life who has wronged you. You can forgive and still keep a distance.

Marilyn's mom, my step daughter, will not be back in my life till the things she does stop. I don't want her influencing Marilyn.

My mom and I have been estranged for years. There have been many years of stuff that has led up to this. The other day I got a call from her work she was being taken to the hospital. I offered to go but my sister had someone else go instead. I called to check up on my mom and she's ok. I won't leave my mom stranded but I don't want to hang out with her either.

Because I don't want either of these people in my life doesn't mean I don't care about them. It means I don't want to be involved in their influences or actions.

I have forgiven them but choose to not to be chummy. And, having said all this there are two sides to every story. Theirs will be a different tale than mine.

Chriss